Some Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries Get Stylish With Warby Parker Frames

UnitedHealthcare announced on November 19 that some of its Medicare Advantage plans will begin covering the cost of eyeglasses made by designer Warby Parker.

Warby Parker is a New York-based retailer whose high-end frames have adorned the faces of numerous celebrities such as Jessica Alba and Ryan Gosling. Supermodel Karlie Kloss even has her own line of Warby Parker frames.

Now, thanks to Warby Parker’s partnership with UnitedHealthcare, ordinary Americans can look the part of a fashion-centric celebrity. And best of all, they can do it without having to pay a small fortune.

Under the new coverage terms, a $375 pair of prescription glasses from Warby Parker can cost less than $50 under one of UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage plans. UnitedHealthcare expects around two million of its beneficiaries will have access to the coverage, and the glasses can be purchased online or at more than 80 store locations nationwide.

Warby Parker products were previously available to some UnitedHealthcare customers through vision plans, but this is the first time Warby Parker will be accepting Medicare insurance as payment.

Potential Medicare Advantage benefits grow in 2019

Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C) are an alternative way to receive Original Medicare benefits (Medicare Part A and Part B), and around one-third of all Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

In addition to vision coverage, some of the additional benefits offered by some Medicare Advantage plans include things like prescription drug coverage and coverage for dental and hearing care.

In 2019, the list of additional Medicare benefits that can potentially be offered by a Medicare Advantage plan includes a number of home health services and items such as meal delivery, caregiving, transportation to doctor’s appointments, and things like bathroom grab bars and air conditioners for people with asthma.

Plan availability varies by region and state. For a complete list of available plans, please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov.